Sarah Shumaker

For the past 12 years I have been a dispatcher, appointment scheduler, driver and customer service representative at the Johnson County Seats paratransit department, serving people with physical and intellectual disabilities and other impediments to self-transport throughout the community. Seats performs over 500 trips per day, and my position requires detailed knowledge of all areas of the county, ADA regulations, real-time decision making, ability to multi-task in high pressure situations, and proficiency with scheduling and logistics. I provide client services both over the telephone and in person, assisting individuals in accessing not only our agency's but also city, county, state and federal resources. I utilize transit scheduling computer software, dispatch a fleet of buses, answer a high volume of calls in a multi-line phone bank, set appointments, build routes and perform data entry.

Prior to my current position I worked in a medical clinic for 2 years setting appointments, processing insurance/billing, and filing patient records. I also worked in food service for years while going to school and raising my two children, and have experience with many aspects of that industry from delivery to high end dining to full service catering, all of which require attention to detail, creativity and problem solving skills in addition to a focus on excellent customer service.

I have taken courses such as medical terminology, HIPPA, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and psychology, among others, both during enrollment in Kirkwood Community College's Human Services program and through independent study. I am CPR and First Aid certified.

All of my work experience has its base in customer service, and has provided me with many variations on how to apply my skills to what is needed in widely different situations. I have decades of team oriented experience, and am also comfortable working independently. I bring flexibility and a well-rounded perspective to my work, and try for a positive attitude whatever the circumstances. I consider myself to be a versatile employee with a deep well of varied experience to draw from, and always enjoy expanding my knowledge and skill set.